Accurately delivering bait into your swim is one of the most important skills you need to master when carp fishing. If you can get bait around your rig the chance of catching carp dramatically increases as fish are far more likely to take your hookbait as they feed amongst loose offerings if it is in amongst them.
There are lots of ways to bait your swim to attract and catch carp, but here are some of the most popular to help you land more carp!
Spomb
A decade or so ago, just when you thought there was nothing new in fishing, this item came along and a nation of carp anglers collectively wondered why they hadn’t thought of it. Its name is a contraction of ‘spod’ and ‘bomb’, and its sealed shape can be seen flying across the sky at lakes around the world.
The main advantage of this tool, and the plethora of similar baiting devices which have been launched following a similar principle, is its ability to carry baits that would otherwise have slipped out of traditional spods.
Maggots, sloppy groundbait and even liquids can be dispatched to the horizon with ease. Yes, sometimes the release mechanism can open or stay shut when you don’t want it to, spraying the margins with bait, but its sensitivity can be adjusted.
THE BEST SPODS AND SPOMBS ARE IDEAL FOR BAITING UP AT RANGE!
Catapult
A classic and handy aid for anglers of all disciplines, although one which seems to be vastly under-used among modern carp anglers. While it might not have the long-distance range of other baiting tools, substantial distances can still be achieved with the right type of ‘pult. If you want to quickly scatter a spread of boilies around your hookbait, then there are few better tools around.
Pouch types vary, so look for a soft, non-stick one for firing out wet particles and a firmer, cage-like pouch for twanging boilies as far as possible. Catapult elastics are prone to twist and degradation over time, so keep them clean and dry when not in use, and carry spares.
HAVEN'T USED A CATAPULT? HERE IS THE BEST WAY TO USE THEM FOR FISHING.
Baiting pole
Now this can be a real ‘edge in the edge’. Screw-in bait spoons can be attached to landing net handles, or purpose-built baiting poles running to 20m or even 30m long can be used to silently drop baits into marginal hotspots with the kind of accuracy a US Air Force drone pilot would envy. You can also deposit your baited rig off the rod tip while you’re at it, creating the perfect marginal trap.
Obviously, this tactic is limited to relatively close-in areas, but regular introductions of bait on a specific spot can be a devastating tool to catch wary carp. Take care not to overfill the bait spoon or you could find you’ve accidentally dumped your payload before it’s in place!
Shipping out the longer poles can be something of an art form in itself, as they do have a tendency to snake about, but once mastered, you’ll be able to drop your baits as stealthily as a Ninja.
THE BEST FISHING BIVVIES WILL KEEP YOU COMFORTABLE ON THE BANK DURING LONG SESSIONS.
Bait boat
Love ’em or hate ’em, bait boats are now part of the mainstream carp scene. These remote-controlled craft offer unrivalled precision, quietly delivering your rig and a payload of bait to spots you’d struggle to reach by conventional means.
Whether you’re fishing tight to far-bank snags or need stealth over distance, a bait boat can be a genuine edge. Modern models are packed with features to rival a Tesla, like GPS, sonar, and autopilot. You can even save specific drop points and return to them time and time again with pinpoint accuracy.
If your venue allows them, and your budget stretches, a bait boat could just transform your results.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A BAIT BOAT, CHECK OUT OUR BUYER'S GUIDE FOR SOME OF THE BEST AROUND!
Throwing stick
Using a throwing stick can be like perfecting your golf swing. In the hands of an expert, nothing can get boilies out so far and so fast. Wetting the inside of the tube can stop boilies spinning and breaking apart as they exit the stick, but you’ll inevitably get a few wayward missiles. No worries – the spread of bait will get the fish moving between mouthfuls. Your arm will definitely thank you for spending a little more to get one of the super-light carbon versions!
WHY NOT TRY ONE OF THESE FORGOTTEN CARP FISHING TACTICS FOR AN EDGE!
